Do to Others What You Want Done to You - Luke 6:31

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “Give to every man that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods ask them not again”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-one of his book Luke shares how Jesus said, “as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise” where we read:

And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.

The verse reads, “And as you would that men should do to you, ...” Luke began with the words, “and as you would” or “and in the same manner and likeness that Jesus' disciple desires, has in mind, wishes and is resolved” “that men should do to you” which means “that people both male and female prepare, make ready, produce and provide to Jesus' disciples”. Luke shared how Jesus began to share how His disciples were to measure their actions toward others by thinking about what they would desire for themselves.

The verse goes on to say, “... do you also to them likewise.” Luke continued with the words, “do you also to them” which means “prepare, make ready, produce and provide even so and indeed to others” “likewise” or “in the same manner and likeness”. Luke shared how Jesus directed His disciples to “perform and produce” behavior toward others like they would have done to themselves.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we discover the “golden rule” (See also Matthew 7:12) presented by Jesus. Jesus did not say “respond to others” in the same way they are treated, but rather “deal with” others the way they would want to be “treated”. Jesus' idea was for His disciples to initiate “good performance” toward other people rather than “responding” to their actions first. God the Father demonstrated this principle by loving people before they ever loved Him, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins well before they repented of them. Jesus showed His disciples how they were to live as He continually “blessed” others before they followed Him, and those who are wise will not only yield their lives to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” but will also rely upon Him for the ability to live in a manner that does unto others what they desire to be done for them.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks, “if you love them which love you, what thank have you?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".